Director, Insights – Qualitative, Gaming & Entertainment

Director, Insights – Qualitative, Gaming & Entertainment  

This role is to be based near one of our offices in New York, Oakland, or Los Angeles.

About us

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities.   

Material is a global strategy partner to the world’s most recognizable brands and innovative companies. Our people around the globe thrive by helping organizations design and deliver rewarding customer experiences.  

We use deep human insights, design innovation and data to create experiences powered by modern technology. Our approaches speed up engagement and growth for the companies we work with and transform relationships between businesses and the people they serve.  

About the Director, Qualitative Insights – Gaming & Entertainment role

As a Director, you will be responsible for leading and the successful delivery of multiple research and insights engagements at a time—both in the gaming and entertainment category as well as across other industries. You will act as a thought partner to our junior to senior-level clients, crafting insights and developing actionable and provocative recommendations, while maintaining trusted relationships and unlocking organic growth through ongoing relationships and repeat clients. You’ll liaise with internal Client Partners to support account planning and growth.

We’re looking for someone who brings both professional knowledge of gaming and entertainment, as well as a personal passion for the space. If you’re excited to tell us about the last video game you played, have thoughts on the future of the metaverse, or a strong opinion on the latest generation console wars—and also have experience translating insights across categories like financial services, technology, consumer goods, or healthcare—this could be the right fit.

Specific research design and delivery responsibilities include—but are not limited to—methodology recommendations and engagement design, discussion + activity guide development, online + face-to-face moderation, mentoring and developing others, managing internal project members, financial project management, notetaking, developing client-ready deliverables (slides, video outputs, microsites), and overall account/project management. You’ll be expected to apply critical thinking for roadblock escalation, offer guidance to problem-solve challenges, and collaborate with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Qual Insight Ops, Insight Design, Behavioral Sciences, Quant practice) in support of executing the highest-quality work.

Insights reporting responsibilities include translating data into learnings, integrated visual stories and comprehensive narratives that establish impactful and strategic recommendations for gaming clients and beyond.

Team & client management responsibilities include establishing, supporting, and building thriving relationships with junior- to senior-level Insights, Marketing, and other cross-functional client stakeholders. You will also mentor, coach, and delegate appropriate work to Associates, Sr. Associates, and Associate Directors, sharing responsibility for their growth, development, and training roadmaps.

Skills required for success include critical and strategic thinking, project management, client relationship development, and problem-solving oriented around solutions and a point of view. Ability to learn and adapt to cutting-edge technologies to drive efficiency. Leadership presence through influence and peer relationships. Issue de-escalation and solutioning when needed.

About You

We are open to alternative modes of education and experience that qualify candidates for the role. Many successful candidates have Bachelor’s degrees and/or studies in a social science, communications, or business-related field, and we welcome different backgrounds of study. Master’s degrees are a plus.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in market research, with a proven track record of managing multiple end-to-end research projects and developing client relationships.

• Strong expertise in qualitative methodologies, including focus groups, ethnographies, in-depth interviews (IDIs), online communities, and workshops. Experience applying qualitative research to a range of objectives (JTBD/Needs, Segment Illumination, Audience Understanding, Journey Mapping, Product Innovation, Positioning, etc.).

• Prior experience managing and leading others as a people manager is a plus.

• Must bring both professional experience and personal interest in gaming/video games, e-sports, and entertainment, while also demonstrating the ability to translate insights into non-gaming categories.

• Understanding of quantitative research is a plus, along with ability to integrate and seamlessly incorporate quantitative insights.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex insights to diverse audiences including senior-level stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to positively influence organic client account growth and revenue.

• Inspires and motivates others; acts as a change leader who brings others along.

• Proficiency in market research software and tools and Microsoft/Google Suites.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and lead cross-functional teams and manage relationships with external vendors.

• Demonstrated curiosity, willingness to learn (learning mindset), openness to feedback, and adaptability to new methodologies and technologies in the market.

Why work for Material? 

In addition to fulfilling, high-impact work, company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Here’s a bit about who we are and highlights around what we offer. 

Who we are & what we care about:

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide.  We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are in the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare. 

• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.  

• We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work. 

• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.  

Pay Range: $100,000.00-125,000.00

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. 

Equal Employment Opportunity             

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

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